Adjustable Bracket Shelf Assembly for Reconfigurable Wall Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial stainless steel shelving in kitchens is inflexible and requires extensive remodeling for adjustments, as welded brackets are fixed and labor-intensive to install, limiting installation to new construction projects and making rearrangements costly.

Innovation Solution

A shelf assembly with adjustable brackets that can attach to wall studs, allowing for easy installation and modification without welding or polishing, featuring lateral apertures and fasteners to secure cross rails, enabling flexible configuration and on-site adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If welded brackets are used to attach shelving tubes to walls, then structural strength and stability are improved, but installation flexibility and ease of modification deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidinstallation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shelving system is divided into separate modular components: wall-mounted brackets, cross rails, and shelves. The brackets are permanently attached to the wall, while the cross rails and shelves form removable assemblies that can be easily installed and removed without affecting the wall mounting structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from fixed welded joints to dynamic, adjustable connections. Cross rails can be positioned at different heights on the brackets, and shelves can be easily added or removed, allowing the shelving configuration to adapt to changing storage needs while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If welded brackets are used for shelving assembly, then manufacturing precision and structural integrity are improved, but ease of manufacture and installation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidease of installation

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The brackets are pre-attached to the wall during the initial installation phase with precise positioning. This preliminary action establishes the structural foundation, allowing subsequent cross rails and shelves to be easily assembled without requiring welding or complex fabrication operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the welding process with a mechanical fastening system. Cross rails engage with brackets through inserted fasteners, eliminating the need for welding equipment, skilled welders, and post-weld polishing operations while maintaining structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixed-position brackets are used, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability for reconfiguration deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidreconfiguration capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system combines static wall-mounted brackets with dynamic, adjustable shelving components. The fixed brackets provide stable anchor points, while the cross rails can be repositioned at different heights and the shelves can be reconfigured or removed, enabling easy adaptation to changing storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

By separating the permanent wall-mounted brackets from the removable cross rail and shelf assemblies, the system maintains structural stability through the fixed brackets while enabling flexible reconfiguration of the shelving components without compromising overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Manufacturing precision

If extensive welding and polishing processes are used, then manufacturing precision and appearance quality are improved, but loss of time and production cost deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance qualityVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces time-consuming welding and polishing processes with simple mechanical fastening operations. Cross rails are attached to brackets using inserted fasteners that require no welding, eliminating the need for post-weld polishing and significantly reducing installation time while maintaining acceptable appearance quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses simple, inexpensive fasteners instead of permanent welded joints. These fasteners can be easily installed and removed without specialized equipment, allowing for quick reconfiguration and reducing both material costs and installation time compared to welded assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS9289065B1Elongate members shelf with adjustable brackets

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 LAMBERTSON TED

AI summary

A shelf assembly is constructed of elongate members and adjustable supporting brackets. The elongate members are received within aligned pairs of apertures formed in the supporting brackets in a manner restricting the vertical movement of the elongate members. Adjustable set screws extend into each of the apertures, selectively engaging the received elongate members and preventing their inadvertent removal.